From a Living Room to the Blue Church of Brooklyn

Christ Fellowship Baptist Church sits on Sumpter Street in central Brooklyn, in the sanctuary members call the "Blue Church of Brooklyn." The story of the congregation begins in 1982, when Rev. Dr. David L. Kelley II founded it and the first year was spent laying a spiritual foundation: a church conference was held, officers were appointed, a logo and motto were adopted, and auxiliaries, choirs, and Bible study classes began to take shape. Two years on, the church purchased a building on Putnam Avenue, only for Hurricane Gloria to destroy the structure during renovations. Undaunted, the members acquired a property on Sumpter Street in 1986 and made it their home for the next two decades.

In 2006, Pastor Kelley announced a new vision: a larger building. After years of fundraising and construction, during which the congregation worshipped at a rented facility, the new sanctuary opened its doors in February 2010. A community-wide Dedication and Blessing Ceremony marked the milestone, and the building has been known throughout the neighborhood as the "Blue Church of Brooklyn" ever since.

Rev. Dr. David L. Kelley II

Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. David L. Kelley II leads Christ Fellowship Baptist Church. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he began his ministerial journey in 1972 at his father's church under the late Rev. David Kelley Sr. He earned his undergraduate degree at Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and in 1994 a doctorate from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He founded Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in 1982 and has now shepherded the congregation for more than forty years.

Beyond the parish, Dr. Kelley is a sought-after lecturer, teacher, preacher, revivalist, and workshop leader who has carried the message across the city, the nation, and internationally. His contributions have been recognized with honors, awards, citations, scholarships, and fellowships, including a listing in "Who's Who Among American Young Men" and the Benjamin E. Mays Fellowship for Theological Education. He and his wife, Kim Marie Wynn, have three children: Danielle, Ashley, and Aaron, along with daughter-in-law Nekia and grandson Jeremiah.

Sunday Mornings and the Midweek Call

Worship at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church centers on Sunday morning. Sunday School opens at 8:30 am, and the main Sunday Service begins at 9:30 am. Those who cannot be there in person can join through the live stream, on Facebook Live, or by dialing into the church conference line at (425) 436-6335 (access code 468522). Recordings of recent services are also available on the church's YouTube channel.

The weekly rhythm continues midweek. "Transition Tuesday" begins at 7:15 pm on Zoom (meeting ID 822 7631 1854, password 375966) or by dialing (646) 558-8656, a weekly call meant to support members on their wellness journey. On Wednesday at 7:30 pm, the Midweek Virtual Prayer, Praise and Proclamation Service is held on the same church conference line.

Six Choirs, a Praise Team, and Dance

Music is at the heart of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church. The Music Ministry, led by Ministers of Music Pastor Robert E. Wilson and Elder John David Wright, together with Director of Music Sis. Denise Sanders, brings together six choirs: Voices of Fellowship, the Gospel Chorus, the Male Chorus, the Ambassadors for Christ Choir, the Inspirational Choir, and the Angelic Choir, along with a Praise Team. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, and the annual All Choir Day draws the choirs together for a single celebration of song.

The Drama Ministry uses dramatic art to spread the Gospel, with members serving onstage and behind the scenes. The Dance Ministry, led by Sis. Denise Banks, lifts up the gospel through movement and hosts an annual Dance Explosion! event.

Eighteen Ministries Around the Pastor

Christ Fellowship Baptist Church runs more than eighteen ministries, each with its own mission and meeting rhythm.

The Diaconate Ministry, chaired by Deacon Gary S. Sheares, assists the pastor with planning and organizing church activities, administers Holy Communion, conducts the mid-week prayer service, and orients new members. The Education Ministry, under Superintendent Deaconess Deneen King, oversees Bible-focused classes for all ages and gives leadership to the Youth and Teen Ministries. The Women of the Word Ministry, led by Deaconess Machell Wilkerson, supports women through Bible study, prayer groups, retreats, prayer breakfasts, and the annual Christmas Toy Drive. The Imani Men's Ministry, under Bro. Jeffrey McClough, mentors younger men of the congregation, hosts the annual Men's Retreat and prayer breakfasts, and looks after the security of the church body.

The Ushers Ministry, under Sis. Sheila Simmons, seats the congregation and distributes programs each Sunday. The Trustees Ministry, chaired by Bro. Horace I. Norville, handles the church's finances and leads the Annual Conference on Finance. The Missionary Ministry, led by Sis. Denise Sanders, serves those in need in hospitals, nursing homes, and among the homebound, and sponsors the Thanksgiving Day Food Drive and the Annual Coat and Clothing Drive. The Nurses Ministry, under Sis. Barbara Jackson, stands ready to provide first aid across the congregation. The Shepherd's Ministry assists Pastor Kelley at home and on his travels, hosting events like the Autumn Auction and Winter Wonderland. The Hospitality Ministry welcomes members and visitors at the door, the Faith Counselors Ministry hosts quarterly breakfasts for new members, the Media Ministry handles audio, video, streaming, and recording, the Security Ministry protects the pastor, people, and property, and the Athletic Ministry rounds out the work of the church.

A Mission Rooted in Matthew 28

Christ Fellowship Baptist Church roots its mission in Matthew 28:19-20, the Great Commission. The congregation's stated purpose is to foster daily growth in faith, following the example of Christ and communing in the power of the Holy Spirit, recognizing God's goodness and magnifying His greatness.

The church describes its people as "warm in worship, warm in witness, and warm in working for the Kingdom of God to come." Worship, the church teaches, is its strongest witness: how the members sing and pray together strengthens their testimony to others as a community of Christ. Visitors who come to the Blue Church of Brooklyn on a Sunday morning find a choir-rich, praise-team-led service shaped by that conviction, and, if they cannot make it in person, the same service is waiting on the live stream, on Facebook Live, or on the church's YouTube channel.